Despite scoring first, San Jose surrendered the lead, then allowed the visitors to take a 3-2 lead in the second period following uncustomary mistakes in the defensive end. What happened late epitomized the night.

"Sloppy, we weren't very good," Couture said. "I hate making excuses, but the ice was pretty bad for both teams. ... We weren't very good tonight."

The late-game problems started when Sharks defenseman Brad Stuart made an ill-advised pinch and resorted to holding Winnipeg's Michael Frolik at 14:07 of the third period to prevent a 2-on-1. San Jose killed the first 1:49 of Stuart's minor before Couture compounded the short-handed situation with his gaffe at 15:57.

The Sharks won a defensive-zone draw to kill the 11-second 5-on-3, but watched as the Jets needed only 17 seconds of 5-on-4 skating to score the winner.

Winnipeg's Blake Wheeler capped a three-point night by backhanding a feed through the goal crease to a pinching Enstrom on the weak side. He beat Antti Niemi after San Jose defenseman Justin Braun was late to deny the pass.

"We're a long shot coming into the building against arguably the best team in the league," Wheeler said.

Brent Burns scored his ongoing career-high 21st goal at 14:27 of the first period on the power play to rally the hosts to a 2-1 lead. But Wheeler slipped a bad angle shot between Niemi's pads 1:55 into the second before Dustin Byfuglien added a power-play goal at 9:32 for a 3-2 lead.

San Jose managed to tie the game before the second intermission, again converting on the suddenly hot power play (five goals in two games). James Sheppard's slap shot caromed off the thumb of Couture in front for his 20th goal at 11:23.

"I was just putting my hand up to protect myself and it hit my thumb," Couture said. "But it's fine."

The Sharks didn't have an answer in the third, getting outshot 12-9. They were forced to penalty kill twice without earning a power play of their own.

Briefly: Center Joe Thornton appeared in his 1,200th career regular-season game. ... Couture returned after missing one game. ... Right wing Adam Burish hopes to be available for the playoffs after having two broken fingers repaired Wednesday after blocking a shot the night before.